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Lauren's
Story . . .
When Lauren was
unexpectedly born weighing only 1.5 pounds, she spent months in the
hospital and needed continual care.
Her parents, Janet and Drew, were overwhelmed with financial expenses,
but they qualified for a United Way funded child care scholarship
through a member agency.
“The scholarship program Lauren benefits from has been a tremendous help
with our financial expenses. The program allows Lauren to be in a great
facility with great teachers, and I was able to maintain my employment
even when Lauren was an infant and had special needs,” Janet said.
Now almost 2-years-old, Lauren is amazingly only two months behind her
peers developmentally. “When she sees other kids doing something it
motivates her to learn to do it too. Being able to be with other
children her age has helped her achieve so much,” Janet adds.
Lauren and her parents are just one of many families helped by the
United Way each day.
Talmadge- “I love
to read, I read every day.”
Talmadge is
in gradeschool now and he loves to read! He’s just one of the many
children that receive day care education, tutoring and mentoring through
Heart of Illinois United Way member agencies. “I’ve got good
grades on my report card,” Talmadge says. And that’s due in a major part
to the support Talmadge received from his teacher Miss Nancy and his
mom.
“If Talmadge was low in an area, we would send home materials for him to
work on with his mom and by the next few days, he would be ready to
learn some more,” Miss Nancy reports. Talmadge was two years old when he
started attending classes at Neighborhood House. Now his brother also
attends.
“Talmadge is always coming home from kindergarten and telling me what he
has learned today. He’s really a smart boy. I appreciate that Miss Nancy
always took the time to work with him here at Neighborhood House,”
Talmadge’s mom, Desire said.
From childhood to adulthood, the Heart of Illinois United Way and its
member agencies are there to nurture children and youth into successful,
caring adults.
Martha - "It is so
important to get involved with your child's education. It brings
you closer together"
Martha
wanted more for her family and she knew the place to start was with her
children’s education. Through a United Way funded program, Martha and
other parents participate in a family leadership college that teaches
parents how to begin taking an active role in their children’s education
and schools.
“The program really brings you closer together and you keep looking
forward to meeting with the other parents, and our children enjoy doing
things together,” Martha said of the program’s evening classes.
Through the program, Martha learns better ways to communicate with her
children and she learns how to become involved in the school. “I’m more
involved now and talking to the teachers more. It has helped my children
improve their grades and behaviors, and it has ultimately built their
self-esteem.”
A positive, working environment between the school, the family and the
community ensures children receive a good education. “We work together
more as a family now,” Martha adds.
The Kings
- “We enjoy being together”
Julie and her
family have been part of Friendship House’s family for more than nine
years. Once a week Julie enjoyed meeting with other mothers’ from
diverse backgrounds who were a part of the agency’s mothers support
group. “It was a lot of fun getting together with the other moms.
We were able to bring our younger children along and learn about
different topics. We basically just enjoyed being together,” Julie said.
Julia -
"They've given me the courage to do anything and I look forward to each
new day."
Like many
seniors, Julia was losing her ability to live independently, and it was
taking a toll on her self-esteem and her family. Fortunately, Julia was
able to gain back her self-reliance through a United Way funded senior
citizens counseling program.
“I didn’t want to go out. But they’ve stimulated me back into my crafts,
arts and sewing. My counselor, Candy, took time to listen to me. She
interceded when I needed help and she knew where to go to get me the
help I needed,” Julia said.
Part of that help was finding Julia a place to live on her limited
income and a place where she could keep her pet dog, Gizmo. “The thought
of being able to live here for the rest of my life is so comforting. I
can hardly wait for another day, and I am able to go out to dinner with
friends,” Julia adds.
When asked what advice she would give other seniors in her situation,
Julia says “Don’t be afraid to call.”
Gloria -
"They prepare you
for life ahead ”
Gloria is on her way. Through the assistance of the Tri-County Urban
League, and her career advisor Wayne, she’s heading for graduation from junior
college this year and a promising career as an office professional.
“They’ve been a tremendous help. They get you through it and prepare you for life
ahead,” Gloria said.
As part of their services for building self-reliance,
Tri-County Urban League helps individuals with job searches, tuition, child care,
budgeting workshops, resume writing and much more.
“I am working on my resume right now as graduation is coming up. The
workshops they’ve offered have been very helpful, especially the ones on
handling stress and setting future goals, and the budgeting workshop,”
Gloria added.
Jack - “I can still do the work I love to do”
Jack
Bradley, a retired photojournalist from the Peoria Journal Star, has a
passion for history, photography and a good story. Three passions he’s
been able to continue to work on from his home now that he’s receiving
assistance from the TCRC Sight Center.
For the past five years Jack has been a client of the agency due to
sight loss related to diabetes. Referred to the sight center by his
doctor, Jack has gone through several of their services.
“They’ve
uplifted me and taken me out of my doldrums. I can still do the work I
love to do and they’ve made life brighter. I am so appreciative of the
many opportunities that they have provided to me,” Jack said.
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